Frequently Asked Questions
We’re bringing answers home.
Home Healthcare FAQ
What is Home Healthcare?
Home healthcare is quite like it sounds. It is medical attention provided by skilled professionals that takes place in the comfort and convenience of your own home. The care comes to you rather than you having to travel to a hospital or clinic.
Home healthcare is coordinated by a licensed, qualified organization and may involve the services of nurses, therapists, clinicians and sometimes even social workers providing non-medical support. It is a service ordered by a physician for patients who may be recovering from a surgery, illness or injury or for those facing chronic illness.
What’s the difference between home healthcare, hospice care and private home care?
Home Healthcare is quite like it sounds. It is medical attention provided by skilled professionals that takes place in the comfort and convenience of your own home. The care comes to you rather than you having to travel to a hospital or clinic. Home healthcare is coordinated by a licensed, qualified organization and may involve the services of nurses, therapists, clinicians and sometimes even social workers providing non-medical support. It is a service ordered by a physician for patients who may be recovering from a surgery, illness or injury or for those facing chronic illness.
Hospice care is a philosophy of high-quality, compassionate care for anyone of any age who has a life-limiting illness and does not want any more curative treatment. It provides dignity, choice and comfort so what remains of life can be lived to its fullest. Hospice care also provides a great deal of support for family members in the form of physical, emotional and spiritual assistance.
Private Home Care provides care that concentrates on activities of daily living that including live in senior care, personal care, household/chore services, and transportation. These are all things that allow us to remain independent and in our homes.
Who is eligible for home healthcare?
To qualify for home health services, you must be in need of periodic medical treatment but experiencing difficulty leaving your home and to do so, need to rely on another person or an assistance device such as a cane, a walker or a wheelchair. The care must be ordered by your physician and that physician must be licensed in the state of Georgia. The care also must be deemed reasonable and necessary to the treatment of the patient’s illness or injury.
What services are covered under the Medicare benefit?
If you have Medicare benefits, you’ll be covered for home health services such as nursing care, physical therapy and speech-language pathology services. If qualified, you may also receive occupational therapy, the help of a medical social worker, assistance from a home health aide and/or medical supplies.
How many visits will I get at home?
Every patient and situation is different, and it will depend on the treatment ordered by your physician. Visiting Nurse continually communicates and coordinates the home visits with your doctor’s office. That way, if your situation should change, we will work in tandem with the doctor to decide if we should increase or decrease your visits.
What can I expect on the first Visiting Nurse Home Healthcare visit?
Visiting Nurse will assess the needs of the patient during the first visit ensuring the transition from the hospital to your home quite seamless. During the initial visit, a nurse or therapist will coordinate a hands-on plan of care for the patient including their physicians, family, and caregivers. By working together, Visiting Nurse’s team is able to provide the most exceptional care possible.
What does “homebound” mean?
Homebound indicates that it is challenging to leave the home and/or you unable to leave your home safely without medical equipment such as crutches, canes, walkers or wheelchairs. Your physician can determine if you are homebound if they believe that your illness or current health status could get worse if you do leave your home. However, it is not completely forbidden to leave the home. Those that are homebound leave for short periods of time for special non-medical activities like trips to attend church, graduations or to the barber/beauty shop.
Can I request Visiting Nurse if my doctor orders home health care for me?
Of course you can. Patients have the freedom to choose their health care provider under Federal law.
Who do I contact about admission to the program?
Call us, Visiting Nurse Health System, Georgia’s largest nonprofit home healthcare provider. We will then contact your physician to see if home health services are recommended and we will begin your plan. Call (404) 215-6000. We are ready to bring healthcare home to you.
How much does home healthcare cost?
Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance and managed care organizations cover the cost of home health services. Some insurance and manage care plans may require a deductible or co-pay. To have Visiting Nurse help you figure out your depth of coverage, call (404) 215-6000.
Are your employees supervised on a regular basis?
It is important to have a collaborative environment so our teams, clients, their families and physicians are on the same page. We update our employees weekly on their clients’ cases. Our Private Home Care team is also supervised by nurses on-site where they monitor the condition of the patient. These observations allow our team to report any changes to condition, care needs to the client’s family and/or primary physician.
How does Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta ensure all employees are trustworthy and competent?
We understand the uncertainty of having someone new in your home but it is our goal to ensure that all of our clients are comfortable with all Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta employees they come in contact with. Our employees proudly uphold our organizational values—respect, integrity, excellence, stewardship and care in all we do. At Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta, we take pride in having compassionate and qualified employees. All employees are required to have advanced proficiency in critical thinking, time management, technical skills as well as reading, writing and speaking English. We also examine the following for all team members during the hiring process:
- Education
- Current licenses and/or certifications
- Criminal background checks
- Ability to read, write and speak English
- Written references
Does Visiting Nurse provide back-up coverage?
Yes, of course. For all pre-scheduled visits, we will provide backup coverage when necessary. Visiting Nurse is available 24/7 and will never leave a client unattended.
Are Visiting Nurse staff members insured and bonded?
Safety and integrity are important to us. All Visiting Nurse employees are fully insured in compliance with the Georgia state laws and fully bonded against theft.
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As we close out the month, we`d like to acknowledge each and every day, the dedicated team members of Visiting Nurse Health System and Hospice Atlanta make a difference in the lives of patients and families across our community. From nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, social workers, chaplains, aides, therapists, administrative staff, care coordinators to our incredible volunteers, each person plays an important role in delivering compassionate, patient-centered care.
Thank you for your expertise, dedication, and commitment to those we serve. We are grateful for all that you do.
#HealthcareHeroes #HospiceCare #HomeHealth #CommunityCare #Teamwork #VisitingNurse #HospiceAtlanta
Stories like these remind us why we do what we do. Every day, Visiting Nurse Home Visiting Nurse Health System / Hospice Atlanta is honored to help patients regain strength, independence, and honor life`s journey with peace, confidence and dignity, at every stage of life, in the comfort of home.
#HomeHealth #hospiceatlanta #PatientExperience #visitingnursehealthsystem #CareAtHome #HealthcareHeroes
Connecting with our community is at the heart of what we do. From senior citizen fairs, Veteran Patient Pinning ceremonies, medical doctors offices and hospital education days, to community education events, the Visiting Nurse teams are out across Georgia, every day, building relationships, sharing resources, and helping connect patients to the care they need.
We`re proud to partner with healthcare professionals, community organizations, and families to increase awareness of home health, hospice and community-based services, ensuring more individuals can access quality care where they are most comfortable, at home.
#VisitingNurseHealthSystem #Veterans #HomeHealth #CommunityOutreach #HealthcareEducation #AtlantaHealthcare #CareAtHome
Each day our Community Care program case managers and nurses partner with care providers across Georgia to help nursing home-eligible seniors and vulnerable adults remain safe, independent, and supported at home.
Through our Community Care Programs, CCSP, SOURCE, and HCBS, our clients and members receive the essential services and care coordination that improve their quality of life and support aging in place.
Thank you to our state-wide network provider partners, community supporters, and our dedicated care teams who make this important work possible every day.
#VisitingNurse #CommunityCare #CCSP #SOURCE #HCBP #CaseManagement #AgingInPlace #GeorgiaSeniors
This month, the Hospice Atlanta team was proud to sponsor the ASCNN monthly gathering of senior care professionals. Events like these provide valuable opportunities to network, collaborate, and share resources that help us better serve seniors and their families throughout Georgia.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for a well-attended morning of connection, education, and partnership. Together, we can make an even greater impact in the communities we serve.
#HospiceAtlanta #CommunityPartnerships #SeniorCare #HealthcareNetworking #GeorgiaSeniors
Advocacy for quality hospice care extends beyond the bedside. Behind the scenes, here at Visiting Nurse Health System / Hospice Atlanta we strive to protect patients, uphold ethical standards, and ensure access to compassionate end-of-life care for those who need it most.
We`re proud to see Visiting Nurse Health System / Hospice Atlanta Palliative Care and Hospice Atlanta Executive Director Natasha Fowlks featured in this article discussing CMS` efforts to combat fraud and strengthen hospice oversight in Georgia and Ohio.
#advocacy #ElderCare #SeniorLiving #hospice #quality
Please join us in congratulating Wendy, our Employee of the Month!
Wendy consistently demonstrates the compassion, professionalism, and dedication that define Visiting Nurse Health System. Her commitment to providing exceptional service and support makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients, families, and team members every day.
We are grateful for Wendy`s hard work, positive attitude, and unwavering commitment to our mission. Thank you, Wendy, for all that you do, and we are proud to have you on our team!
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! 🎉
#EmployeeOfTheMonth #TeamVNHS #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #HealthcareHeroes #EmployeeRecognition #MakingADifference
Visiting Nurse Health System | Hospice Atlanta is honored to be a 2026 sponsor of the Agape Youth & Family Center’s Living Well Together Senior Health & Wellness Expo yesterday, bringing valuable health resources, education, and community connections to older adults in Atlanta’s Upper Westside.
This impactful event helped seniors access preventive health screenings, chronic disease management education, wellness resources, nutrition guidance, fall prevention support, healthcare navigation, and meaningful social engagement opportunities.
We are proud to partner with organizations that share our commitment to helping older adults live healthier, more connected lives. Thank you to everyone who made this event a success and to the seniors who joined us for a day focused on wellness, empowerment, and community.
#VisitingNurseHealthSystem #LivingWellTogether #SeniorWellness #HealthyAging #CommunityHealth #Atlanta #PreventiveCare #AgingWell
